Blank feeding apparatus



Nov. 25, 1969 K. HOOK ET'AL. 3,

BLANK FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 28, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG! BERNAR6 k a% K BY ROGER J. NELSEN ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 25, 1969 5. HOOK ETAI; 3,480,180

BLANK FEEDING APPARATUS Filed.Feb. 28, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS BERNARD E4. HOOK BY ROGER J. NELSEN ATTORNEYS.

I Nov. 25, 1969 B. K. HOOK ETAL 3,480,180

BLANK FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 28, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 'FIG.3 w l3 l9 l9 no no 4 .A use s wee :38 I25 K "88 as 86 as FIG.5 "7o FIGbA -|OO 68 Q 90 66- 92 49K xv 720/: -1- so i aa y 88 1 /Q as soq INVENTO 32 BERNARD I'M-180K BY ROGER J. NELSEN I98 96" 455% ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 25, 1969 B. K. HOOK ETAL 3,480,180

BLANK FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 28, I968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W; I I In a? d II J L I| M -|5 F I G 4 INVENTORS BERNARD K. HOOK BY ROGER J.NELSEN ATTORN EYS.

Nov. 25, 1969 B. K. HOOK ETAL 3,480,180

BLANK FEEDING APPARATUS iled Feb- 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvsw'ro ggRNARD K H OK GER J. NELSEN ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent US. Cl. 2212l1 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for individually feeding rectangular metal blanks from a vertical stack of blanks to a machine such as a can body maker. The apparatus includes a vertically reciprocated slide member carrying a vacuum cup unit arranged to engage the lowermost blank in the stack and withdraw it into alignment with a vertically reciprocated push member. A slide valve assembly is built into the slide member and functions to control application of vacuum to the vacuum cup unit in timed relationship with movement of the slide. Additionally, the push member and the slide are driven from a common drive.

The present invention is directed toward the material handling art and, more particularly, to an improved suction type blank feeding apparatus.

The invention is especially suited for use in feeding rectangular metal blanks to a can body maker and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated the invention is capable of broader application and could be used for feeding blanks to a variety of types of machines.

The usual apparatus for supplying rectangular metal blanks to a can body forming machine includes means for maintaining a vertical stack of blanks superjacent the inlet end of the machine. Means are provided for successively withdrawing the bottom blanks from the stack and moving them to a lower position where they are engaged by means which push them horizontally to the forming machine.

Normally the means for withdrawing the blanks from the stack comprise a vertically reciprocated suction or vacuum cup unit which is connected with a source of vacuum through a flexible line. The supply of vacuum to the unit is normally controlled by a cam operated valve driven in timed relationship with the machine. The valves are controlled so that as the unit moves upwardly the source of vacuum is connected to the vacuum cups to cause them to grip the bottom blank. Subsequent downward movement of the unit then causes the bottom blank to be withdrawn from the stack. When the blank has been lowered to the proper position, the valves are moved to disconnect the vacuum source and the blank is then free to be moved horizontally into the machine.

As a result of the extremely high rates at which most can body forming machines are operated, the abovedescribed blank feeding mechanisms have been somewhat unsatisfactory. For example, the constant rapid flexing of the vacuum supply lines tends to result in rupture of the lines. Further, the cam operated control valves and the actuating linkages are subjected to substantial impact loading and require frequent maintenance and repair. Additionally, the vacuum slide units and their drives are carried on separate mounts which tend to produce vibrations in the system.

All of the above-noted problems are overcome by the present invention which provides a simplified and highly improved suction type blank feeding mechanism.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved suction type feed apparatus from the general type described which includes: a frame defining a 3,480,180 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 pair of opposed vertically extending side walls; opposed vertically extending guideways carried by said walls; a generally rectangular slide member mounted in said guideways for reciprocation between an upper blank engaging point to a lower blank discharging point; a vacuum cup member carried on the upper end of the slide member; a vacuum passageway extending through the slide member and communicating with the vacuum cup member; and, valve means for controlling the vacuum passageway. The valve means include a first valve member carried by the slide member and extending outwardly thereof. The

. first valve member defines a first vertically extending slide surface having an outlet orifice communicated with the vacuum passageway. A second valve member is arranged to cooperate with the first valve member. This second valve member defines a second vertically extending slide surface having a first orifice formed therein communicated with the source of vacuum. Means are provided for mounting the second valve member on the frame with the second slide surface biased into engagement with the first slide surface and arranged so that upon reciprocation the first and second orifices come into engagement as the slide member approaches its upper blank engaging point. Additionally, means are provided for adjusting the position of the second valve member vertically so as to allow the point at which the orifices come into engagement to be varied.

In accordance with a more limited aspect of the invention the described apparatus includes a horizontally reciprocable push member arranged to engage a blank at the discharge point and move it horizontally. Boththe slide member and the push member are driven in timed relationship by a common drive carried by the frame.

By provision of the slide valve arrangement carried in the slide member and its frame, the problems associated with the previously utilized cam operated valves and their actuating mechanisms are eliminated. Further, the simple adjustable slide valve plate allows the cut-off point of the vacuum supply to be easily varied. Additionally, because the slide valve mechanism and the horizontal push member are carried on a common frame there is a substantial reduction in undesirable vibration.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a highly simplified suction type blank feeding apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a suction type blank feeding apparatus wherein the control of vacuum is accomplished by the use of a slide valve carried in the vacuum cup slide.

A still further object is the provision of a vacuum or suction type feeding apparatus wherein the control of vacuum is accomplished without the use of special valves and valve operating mechanism.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a suction type blank feeding apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention and positioned on the inlet end of a conventional can body forming machine;

FIGURE 2 is a right side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE FIGURES 5 and 5a are cross-sectional views through the slide valve mechanism taken on lines 5-5 and 5a5a, respectively, of FIGURE 4; and,

FIGURE 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic, exploded pictorial view of the vacuum cup slide member and the slide valve assembly.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGURES 1 and 2 show the overall arrangement of the improved suction feed mechanism A as it would appear mounted on the inlet end of a conventional can body forming machine. Only a smallportion of the frame A of the body forming machine is shown for the purpose of explaining one type of mounting for the feed mechanism A.

Specifically, feed mechanism A includes a frame 12 comprised of a pair of side plates or members 14 and 16 interconnected by transversely extending plates 18 and 20. Frame 12 is shown as being a two piece casting but could obviously be formed in any convenient manner, such as by Welding. Brackets 13 and are releasably connected to the outside surfaces of side plates 14 and 16 by a plurality of socket screws 17. The brackets 13 and 15 are in turn releasably connected to top surfaces of the can body making machine frame 10 by a plurality of screws 19. This arrangement provides a rigid mounting for the feed mechanism A but permits it to be readily removed from the can body making machine for maintenance or repair.

Positioned between side plates 14 and 16 is a slide member 22. Member 22 is mounted for reciprocation in vertical slide grooves 24, 26, formed in side plates 14 and 16, respectively (see FIGURE 4). Mounted on the upper end of slide member 22 is a vacuum cup unit 28. Unit 28 includes a bracket 30 which is positively connected to slide member 22 and carries a pair of resilient vacuum cups 32. A blank support frame 34 is positioned above the vacuum cup unit 28 and aligned therewith. The frame 34 is arranged to carry rectangular metal can blanks 36 in stacked, aligned relationship. Although not shown, the frame 34 is supported from the frame 10 of the body making machine in any convenient manner. As shown, the frame 34 includes vertically extending end guide members 38 arranged to closely receive blanks 36. Additional guides, not shown, are positioned to engage the sides of the blanks and maintain them in stacked, aligned relationship. The lower end of frame 34 is open and the blanks are maintained therein by short, inwardly extending flanges 40, formed on, or connected to, members 38.

In the embodiment under consideration, the slide member 22 is arranged to be reciprocated vertically throughout a path which causes the vacuum cups 32 to move from a first position (shown in FIGURE 1) in engagement with the lowermost blank 36 to a second position wherein the lowermost blank is removed from the stack and brought substantially into alignment with the bite of the rolls 42, 44 of a conventional breaker roller unit 50. Such breaker roller units are well known and form no part of the present invention.

Of particular importance to the present invention are the means utilized to control the supply of vacuum to vacuum cups 32. As can be appreciated, vacuum must be supplied to the cups at least during the time they engage the lowermost blank and withdraw it from the stack 36. Thereafter, the vacuum must shut off approximately at the time when the blank has been brought into alignment with the breaker rolls and shortly before it is engaged by the push unit 46 which moves it horizontally into the breaker roller unit. In the past, it has been the practice to utilize flexible vacuum connections to supply the vacuum to the vacuum cup unit 28. The supply of vacuum through the flexible line was, in turn, controlled by means such as cam operated valves, etc. In the present invention a slide valve mechanism is arranged directly in association with the slide member 22. Referring to FIGURES 4 through 6, it is seen that the slide member 22 includes a main body portion 54 preferably formed from aluminum and provided with bronze slide members 56 connected to its opposite vertical edges. Extending laterally from face 58 of member 54 is a vertically extending plate member 60. A first valve slide plate, preferably formed from bronze, is connected to member 60 in any convenient manner, such as through the use of machine screws 64. As best shown in FIGURE 6, members 60 and 62 are provided with aligned openings 66 and 68 which extend inwardly from the surface 70 of member 62 to a position within member '60 as shown in FIGURES 5 and 5A. A bore 72 extends vertically within member 60 from opening 66 up to a horizontally extending bore 74 which extends into the center of member 54 as best shown in FIGURE 6. A vertically extending slot 76 extends downwardly from the top surface of member 54 into communication with bore 74. A similar, vertically extending bore 78 extends through member 30 into communication with a horizontally extending bore 80 which is communicated with both vacuum cups 32.

The other half of the vacuum valve arrangement comprises a vertically extending valve plate forming member 82 carried in a groove 84 formed in side plate 14. Preferably, member 82 is formed from hardened steel so as to provide a good mating surface for the sliding valve plate 62. Additionally, member 82 is biased into engagement with slide plate 62 by three springs 86 which are received in openings 88 formed in the plate 82. Accordingly, springs 86 maintain the plate 82 constantly biased into engagement with the sliding plate 62 carried on the slide member 54. Referring specifically to FIGURES 5, 5a and 6, it is seen that a vacuum opening 90 extends inwardly from the outside of plate 14. Any convenient source of vacuum (not shown) is connected with opening 90 through a line 92. The opening 90 is in vertical alignment with the elongated opening 66 of the slide plate 62. Accordingly, during reciprocation of the slide member 54 the vacuum line 90 is brought into engagement with opening 66 and a vacuum communicated to the cups 32. Referring again to FIGURES 5 and So, it is seen that as the slide 60 moves between a lower position shown in FIG- URE 5a, and an upper position shown in FIGURE 5, vacuum will be communicated to the cups throughout a portion of the stroke determined by the position of opening 90 and the length and position of the elongated slot or opening 66. In order to allow this relationship to be changed slightly, provision is made for shifting the stationary valve plate 82 vertically. These means could take a variety of forms but, in the preferred embodiment, comprise a machine screw 94 which is received in a threaded opening 96 carried on a small plate 98 which is connected to, and extends inwardly from, the side plate 14. The stationary valve plate 82 rests on the head of the screw 94 and, accordingly, by adjusting the position of screw 94 the vertical position of plate 82 can readily be adjusted.

As can be appreciated, as the slide moves downwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 51:, the vacuum supply is cut off to the vacuum cups 32; however, in order to exhaust the vacuum which has been drawn on the cups so that the blank which has been removed from the stack will be released, an exhaust port 100 is formed inwardly through side plate 14 and the stationary valve plate 82. As best shown in FIGURE 6, opening 100 is arranged in vertical alignment with opening 68 and positioned so that as the slide approaches its lower position the openings 68 and 100 come into engagement to thereby allow atmospheric air to be communicated through line 74 to the vacuum cups 32.

As can be appreciated, the above-described slide valve arrangement completely eliminates the need for flexible vacuum supply lines and separate valves of the type previously utilized. Additionally, the subject arrangement allows the vacuum opening and cut oif points to be readily adjusted.

As previously mentioned, both the slide member 22 and the horizontally reciprocated push unit 46 are driven in timed relationship with the associated can body making machine. A variety of different drive connections could be provided between the can body making machine and the slide drive mechanism; however, in the subject invention, the can body making machine includes a main horizontal extending drive shaft 110 (see FIGURE 1) which extends through the machine and is driven from the can body machine drive in timed relationship with the various can body forming devices.

Specifically, the driven connection includes a sprocket 112 which is keyed or otherwise positively connected to shaft 110 and connected through a double roller chain 114 with a double dual sprocket 116 which is rotatably mounted on a horizontally adjustable slide block 118 carried in the can body making machine frame 10. A second double roller chain 120 is trained about the other double sprocket of dual sprocket 116 and extends upwardly about a double sprocket 122 which is positively connected to a horizontally extending shaft 124. Referring to FIGURE 3, it is seen that sprocket 122 is connected through machine screws 125 with a sleeve or collar 127. The collar 127 is keyed to the horizontally extending shaft 124 mounted in suitable bearings 129 carried in the downwardly extending legs 126 and 128. The leg 126 is formed integrally with the side wall 16 of frame 12, whereas leg 128 is formed as a separate piece and connected to frame 12 by a plurality of machine screws 130.

As is apparent, both the slide 22 and the horizontal push unit 46 are driven from the shaft 124. In particular, slide 22 is connected through a pivot pin 132 with the upper end of a connecting rod 134. The lower end of connecting rod 134 is connected through a stud screw 136 with a crank disc 138 which is positively connected to the left hand end of shaft 124. Also connected to the left hand end of shaft 124 is an eccentric 140 which, as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, carries a crank 142. The crank 142 is pivotally connected to the lower end of a lever 144 mounted on a pin 146 extending between side plates 14 and 16. The upper end of lever 144 is in turn connected through a link 148 with the slide 150 of a horizontal push unit 46. As shown in FIGURE 1, the slide member 150 is carried on a horizontally extending rod 152 which is rigidly mounted between the can body machine and a bracket 154 extending outwardly from side plate 16 of frame 12. The push rod 156 of the push member 46 comprises a cylindrical rod provided with a pair of collars 158 and 160 positioned on opposite sides of the member 150. A spring 162 functions to continuously bias the push element 156 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 1.

As can be seen, the subject arrangement provides a simplified mechanical drive connection for both the slide 22 and the push member 46. Additionally, because the two elements are driven from a common drive it is a simple matter to assure exact timed movement between the two elements. Further, because the drive for the two elements is mounted on a common frame there is less chance of vibration and the entire assembly can be easily removed from the can body machine for maintenance or repair.

The invention has been described in great detail sufiicient to enable one of ordinary skill in the material handling art to make and use the same. Obviously, modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment of the invention will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. An improved blank feeding apparatus including:

support means for maintaining a generally vertically extending stack of blanks;

a frame mounted subjacent said support means;

a vertically extending guideway carried in said frame;

a slide member mounted in said guideway for reciprocation between an uppermost position and a lowermost position;

at least one vacuum cup member carried on the upper end of said slide member and arranged to engage the lower blanki u said stack when said slide member is in its uppermost position; and,

means for connecting a source of vacuum to said vacuum cup as said slide member approaches its uppermost position and disconnecting said source of vacuum as said slide approaches its lowermost position; said means including cooperating first and second vertically extending slide surfaces carried by said slide member and said frame respectively, a first orifice formed in said first slide surface and connected with a line extending to said vacuum cup, a second orifice formed in said second slide surface and connected with a source of vacuum, said first and second orifices being arranged to move into and out of registry as said slide member is reciprocated; and, means for adjusting the position of said second slide surface to vary the points at which said orifices move into and out of engagement.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including third and fourth orifices formed in said first and second slide surfaces respectively, with said third orifice communicated with said vacuum cup and said fourth orifice communicated with the atmosphere, and said third and fourth orifices being arranged to come into registry when said first and second orifices are out of registry.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein spring means are provided for continuously biasing said second slide surface toward said first slide surface.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said slide member extends transversely between opposed walls defined by said frame and said first slide surface extends parallel with said walls.

5. An improved vacuum feed apparatus for feeding blanks comprising:

a frame defining a pair of opposed vertically extending sidewalls;

opposed vertically extending guideways carried by said walls;

a generally rectangular slide member mounted in said guideways for reciprocation between an upper blank engaging point to a lower blank discharging point;

a vacuum cup member carried on the upper end of said slide member;

a vacuum passageway extending through said slide member and communicating with said vacuum cup member; and

valve means for controlling said vacuum passageway, said valve means including a first valve member carried by said slide member and extending outwardly thereof, said first valve member defining a first vertically extending slide surface having an outlet orifice communicated with said vacuum passageway; a second valve member defining a second vertically extending slide surface having a first orifice formed therein communicated with a source of vacuum, means for mounting said second valve member on said frame with said second slide surface biased into engagement with said first slide surface and arranged so that upon reciprocation said first and second orifices come into registry as said slide member approaches its upper blank engaging point; and, means for adjusting said second member vertically to vary the point at which said orifices come into registry.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said first valve member includes a third orifice formed in said first slide surface and communicated with said vacuum passageway, and wherein said second valve member includes a fourth orifice formed in said second slide surface and communicated with the atmosphere, said third and fourth orifices arranged to come into registry as said slide member approaches said blank discharging point.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 including drive means carried by said frame for reciprocating said slide member.

7 8 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 including a 2,076,116 4/1937 Brinton 221211 X horizontally reciprocable push member arranged to en- 2,320,712 6/1943 Brenzinger 221-211 X gage a blank at said discharge point and move it hori- 2,417,938 3/1947 Krueger 221211 zontally, and common drive means carried by said frame 2,472,664 6/1949 Krueger 221211 X for reciprocating said slide member and said push mem- 5 2,563,654 8/1951 Mackin et a1 221211 ber in timed relationship. 3,127,053 3/1964 Carr 221-211 X References Cited SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Us. CL X'R. 1,318,540 10/1919 Cameron 27132 10 2,074,815 3/1937 Tevanderetal. 221-211X 221238;27132 

